On the mysterious planet TIC 241249530b, the climate can sometimes resemble summer on Earth, while at other times it transforms into a “hell” that can melt titanium.
A research team led by Dr. Arvind Gupta from the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab – USA) has examined a exoplanet named TIC 241249530b.
The TESS satellite from NASA discovered it back in 2020, but scientists have only recently found that it is strikingly different from known exoplanets.
The bizarre planet TIC 241249530b – (Graphic: NOIRLab).
According to Sci-News, spectral analysis has confirmed that TIC 241249530b has a mass approximately five times that of Jupiter and is classified as a “hot Jupiter,” meaning it is a giant gas planet located very close to its parent star, resulting in extreme heat.
This exoplanet has an orbital eccentricity of 0.94, which is nearly the maximum value on a scale from 0 to 1 that indicates eccentricity.
The higher the eccentricity, the more elongated the planet’s elliptical orbit around its parent star becomes.
For comparison, Earth’s orbital eccentricity is only 0.02, while the highly eccentric dwarf planet Pluto in our Solar System has an eccentricity of 0.25.
If TIC 241249530b were part of the Solar System, at its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion), it would be about 1/10th the distance from the Sun to Mercury. At its farthest point (aphelion), its distance would be equivalent to that of the Sun to Earth.
This eccentricity also leads to drastic changes in climate on this hot Jupiter.
During the “season” when the planet is farthest from its parent star, it would have weather that is somewhat hot and humid, similar to summer on Earth. Conversely, during the phase when it is closest to its parent star, it becomes a hellish environment where even titanium could melt.
To further emphasize the unusual nature of this exoplanet’s orbit, the research team also discovered that it rotates in the opposite direction to its parent star’s rotation.
This is not commonly observed in exoplanets, and no planet in our Solar System rotates in such a manner.
The unique orbital characteristics of this exoplanet also suggest its future trajectory.
It is anticipated that it will soon lose this extreme eccentricity, as tidal forces acting on the planet will drain energy from its orbit, causing it to gradually shrink and become more circular.
According to the authors, there may have been many other hot Jupiters in the universe with similar eccentricities that have gradually been modified into more circular orbits, resulting in perfect hot Jupiters rotating closely around their parent stars.
